And Thank you too, Ginnie!
 

You are so right about stiving, alongside my physician, my rep, Heather [aka Coral Toe on here as a poster who has also been allowed by Boston Scientific to program her unit] AND my dear wife, Cleo, who I hope would all accompany me to a program, to a conference, to any corporate discussion regarding a better means toward patient pain management through SCS yielding higher profits, satisfied patients and greater referrals to the technology by the company [Are you reading this, Paul?] which enables patient involvement..... HONEST TO GOODNESS INVOLVEMENT in the programming of the permanent implant. The company which produces reliable equipment and PUSHES HARDEST TO ATTAIN HIGHEST PATIENT SATISFACTION RATINGS VIA PATIENT PROGRAMMING INVOLVEMENT is the company which should come out on top on marketshare.

I may have to trade in my drum for a bigger one..... Rae, do you have one in your left pocket?

Sayonara,
mark56:grouphug:

Hi Mark
 

Maybe you need more than the bigger drum. Maybe you need the whole band marching into their meeting room. That will ge their attention. ginnie

Day one of trial
 

OK, day one. I was not allowed to go to work today. I think it is because of the arrow sticking in the middle of my back, well dressed with a mountain of tape.

My lower back, where most of my pain torments me is, uh, yeah, it's there. No pain. Just the spear farther up.

I went in yesterday to find I was to be the fourth and last patient of the day to get a trial implant. There were three reps there. Mine who lives here, one from Jacksonville and one from Tampa. The reps from out of town were the typical young male stereotypes. My rep, Sharon, is a small woman and I guessing her age at some where in her 40s. I am perhaps being kind. I will not ask.

Reading through these post prepared me for many of the experiences I am having today. When I went to bed last night the stimulation hit me like an electrical jolt when I lay down on my side. I forgot, it was and electrical jolt! I pleaded with my wife to get the remote. I turned it way down, got comfortable and after one roll from right side to left I fell asleep with no problem. When I woke up my left leg hurt. I've always ignored it because of the back pain. Other than that, getting up was so easy. I do mean a massive improvement. I did leave the stim on over night.

It is 3:30pm now and still no back pain.

This is funny. Who needs a controller when a slight shift in body position increases or reduces the intensity of the stimulation? Oh! I do. Last night taught me to keep it close. I also understand why driving with it on is dangerous. It can hit hard with some shifts.

I am going to ask Sharon if I can set one program. Would she please do the others? Good psychology perhaps? I saw the screen she was using and it just was not that complex.

:) Paul, the systems analyst. (I do read all the postings. Too much to learn!)

YaHoooo!
 

You're up and running! It sounds like you are doing great, Paul!
This is very exciting! Yeah, the variables in stimulation as the body changes positions....:o certainly can be rather alarming at first. This is one of the things we tend to 'forget' to warn you about prior.....so we end up learning it the 'hard' way. You're right, the stimulation becomes substantially higher while laying down. Alot of people will get a program specific for laying down. I'm sure you will too. Sharon seems like she's a big help, and I'm sure she'll work with you until you have exactly what you need.

You're coming along wonderfully, especially this being only day one!
I was a wimp and laid in bed my first day because my back was sore from the procedure itself. I rested on ice for the 1st 24 hours.

I hope you are able sleep well tonite, as you go into day 2 of the trial.
We'll be anxiously awaiting your update!

Rae
:grouphug:

Re: first day and you are UP
 

Good for you Paul. You are brave. I hope this trial goes good, and that it gives you the relief from pain that you want and need. I will be keeping you in my prayers. ginnie

Hi Paul!
 

so happy that you are finding relief using the stim. The changes in posture sure do cause a change in how much stimulation we get. I am happy to report that after two months, I am feeling less "strong" stimulation when clearing my throat or coughing. My rep told me that happens as the leads scar up in the spinal area. I still need a tweak to remove more "foot" feeling when I turn it up to relieve back/leg pain and burning. Overall - I must have this device. It is a God-send for me :)

Ah..... a Godsend to me too!!
 

Yep Viv, I can only agree, and yes PAUL [there, I addressed the correct individual as Paul.... whew] it is wondrous the manner in which it is able to mask pain, though its intensity definitely rises and falls, crests and troughs with bodily movement of most any kind. Interestingly, I noted and still experience the queerest bit of a jolt in my jaw of all places, though my unit is throacic mount for lumbar and leg treatment, JUST when I turn my head "just so." A weird twinge I had never experienced in my life, and not an interruption to driving, but, huh!

Sorry about the stabbing feeling you experience, as that was not my experience at all. It will come and go before you know it, then you will want the stabbing back if only for the lower body relief. Count the days until your implant..... I hope and pray it goes on schedule as your report sounds ultra positive!

Praying for you too, and by the correct name [inside joke...... nah, everyone knows my faux pas..... laugh with me please!!]
Mark56:D

Hi Paul :)
 

Oh it's all so so good reading your post!!! Sounds like you may have hit the nail on the head so to speak ;). Excellent news.

How long is your trial for? Mine lasted only two days. I had my implant Aug '10 and I have some great days with it. Need a retweak so waiting on app!!!

I too was like Rae a bit of a wimp :D didn't move for a few days post trial!!! ( soz Rae not implying ur a wimp at all lol )

Good luck with the rest of ur trial Paul

Jackie :)

OH YES! I am a Wimp!!! http://dl6.glitter-graphics.net/pub/...oq211dcm58.jpg
.................................................. .................................................. ........

Full day 3.
 

First, I want to thank everyone for their help. I knew the variability in intensity was coming because of comments on this board. I was prepared and the only reaction I've had is amusement and curiosity. It's almost fun.

The pain in the middle of my back is just a reaction to insertion. You know, some bruising will occur. Easily worth the chance at long term pain relief. The Doc requires a 7 day trial so the pain in the back declines enough to do a better evaluation.

I've learned more about my Pain management Dr. He has been doing these implants for 8 years. He keeps the reps on a short leash also.

Now, for results. I'm moving much better. At rest, I get almost total relief. Walking is a curious problem. The pain will come back but not quite as bad. If I force myself to walk correctly (I forgot how!) it is much better. Walking correctly seems to help the stem hit one of the sweet spots as well.

I'm going in today for reprogramming. I know, putting it that way sounds a little Orwellian. We are going to try to get the stimulation to better cover the sweet spots in my lower back. Should I say sour spots?

I'm leaving stem on over night. It really helps getting up in the morning. I've also discovered that my upper legs and hips have problems. We will try to cover the pain there with reprogramming today. We may have to check for hip damage later. Plug one hole in the dyke and another one opens. I was a little concerned about this.

My wife is doing well. Right now we are a little annoyed with the system. We hope we will hear about the last biopsy today. After that I guess it is on to surgery. The community support she is getting is stunning! The cancer people here in Tallahassee do not mess around!

Come to think of it, in a metropolitan area of 200,000 people (That is when colleges are in session):rolleyes:, we have 150 therapy dog teams. As a ratio of dog teams to population, we are far larger than any other group anywhere. There is a lot of compassion here. :winky: